spring has sprung

The cherry blossoms, dogwoods and azaleas are blooming. The grass is greener and the air is warmer. As our climate has decided to hit the REFRESH button, it's time to do so in our homes as well. 

Our Help You Dwell team has been busy at work these past few months. We wanted to fill you in and invite you to join us for some of the fun!

Image via Emily Jeffords. 

We've worked hard to come up with some exciting tips we've been sharing daily on WVLT First at Four with the lovely Brittany Tarwater, each day this week. Tune in today and tomorrow if you can! We've posted some tips to declutter on our Resources page - check it out. 

Another exciting way we're inviting you to join us as we REFRESH our homes this spring is by entering our giveaway we have going on- this week only! Enter to win our "Spring Refresh" giveaway on our Instagram page. We've collaborated to come up with an incredible value from local businesses. Nest Knoxville, You Own the Look and HYD have curated products and services that will be a great start for your spring refresh at home. 

Enter to win the Spring Refresh giveaway. 

Join us for First Friday at Nest, tomorrow - April 7. Natalie, owner of Nest has invited Help You Dwell into her beautifully decorated and furnished storefront. Location: 108 S. Gay Street. Come & enjoy a glass of wine with us, we'd love to meet you! This fun and relaxed environment is a great time to bring your questions and get to know us. We can't wait.

Don't miss the opportunity to participate in the first workshop in our series called "The Art of Design" with Cassandra, our interior designer. More details here. Registration is open! 

One more exciting thing we wanted to share with you: a new womens resale store, Clothes Mentor Turkey Creek has their Grand Opening today! 

Get connected with Clothes Mentor. 

ease the pain of organizing

No matter how overwhelming or dreadful the organizing project ahead of you might be, there are ways to make it less painful. We've put our ideas and actual experiences together and this is what we came up with. 

Background Music

There is something magical about your favorite playlist pumping that will empower you to do even more than you thought you could. Instrumental music is great for the jobs that take extra brain power, like reading and sorting through files. Jobs that require a little more heavy lifting and rearranging lend themselves well to your favorite sing in the shower songs. As your muscles are firing up and working hard, a power ballad or sing along helps ease the pain - you can just belt it out, as long as your neighbors like your voice. Music really can be the extra fuel to get your organizing project handled. We've experienced it first hand & it's really fun (even if you don't know all the words). Try some of our favorites: Productive Morning playlist, Amos Lee radio, Bishop Briggs playlist. 

Fresh Air

Image from fresh farmhouse blog. 

Whenever possible, open the windows (weather and allergy permitting). There is something soothing about fresh outside air flowing through your space. If you can't open the windows, pulling up blinds and opening curtains does wonders as well. This spring, try it out - while organizing or doing household chores, bust open a window and soak in that vitamin D and breezy air.  Especially in a room that feels dark, dated or overwhelming... a little air can be so life-giving. Hearing the birds chip, leaves rustling or bikers passing by remind you that you are not alone stuck in the space you are working on. 

Enlist a Teammate 

Invite a friend over. Twice the muscle and (wo)man power to get the job done! You and a friend probably both have an organizing project in your home you just don't want to tackle alone, so partner with each other! You need the kind of friend who understands what is important to you but who also isn't afraid to lay down the hammer and help you PURGE. The kind of friend who will notice if you are starting to hold onto excess and useless things, and gently remind you that you are only going to feel lighter if you let go. A friend can also laugh with you at the hilarious and embarrassing memories or items discovered. It does wonders to a friendship, to vulnerably share your mess and work through it together! 

Intermission

Set a timer for 1 hour on your phone when you begin your project. This will be a good pause time to get up, leave the room/project and grab a snack or water. Don't get too stuck in all of the stuff! 5-10 minute break times can be very helpful. Just make sure you commit returning to the project until it's done. 

Treat Yourself! 

Cheers! Image from @Anthropologie. 

Incentivizing a task is a great way to keep you empowered throughout the drag of the job. Instead of rewarding yourself with more "stuff" or material possessions - think of a treat you'd enjoy that is an experience. Here's a few ideas to celebrate a job well done: pedicure,, wine night with friends, fancy date night out, renting that movie you've wanted to see, or planning a family vacation. Invite kids to participate in this too - if they commit and tackle an organizing job in their room, reward them with a sleepover or trip to the trampoline park! 

We would love to hear your suggestions and ideas on how to keep organizing fun. Happy organizing, friends! 

join us: customized ideas for your space

-- You are invited to our first Help You Dwell workshop of 2017 --

Intro to the Art of Organizing:
Customized Ideas for your Space

Saturday, February 11
10am to 12pm @ The Hive

We've designed a hands-on workshop with you in mind. This event is a great way to get practical and realistic advice and direction for the hard-to love area in your home. We will be discussing organizational ideas and design direction all geared towards you and your spaces. 

Attendee's leave with a refreshed vision for their space, tools to make it happen and a beautiful HYD Canvas Tote. 

Light refreshments will be provided! 

We can't wait to meet you and share our thoughts and ideas for your home. Space is limited.

envisioning your space

Organizing and decorating can be challenging. We've found that it's easy to feel weighed down and stuck in the "stuff" that hinders us from loving our dwelling places. Think about the pile of mail on the kitchen counter, the clothes stacked on a chair in your bedroom, the crafts spread on your kids floor, and the mixed up files in drawers of your office... you might already be ready to give up after just thinking about it! 

A fresh approach might be the change you need in perspective to conquer your challenging space. Thanks to Instagram and Pinterest, we've lost a lot of our ability to envision things on our own. We pin the image of an immaculate office and elegant bedroom that are way outside of our budget, and when we shut our computer we settle back into the reality of our lackluster spaces. 

ENVISION.

enjoy these creations as you start to imagine your spaces with new eyes. 
Ashley Dawn Addair is the creative behind the visual beauty below. 

Close out of Pinterest, shut the computer, and open your creative mind. Here are some questions to think about as you re-think areas of your home. 

1. Who will use this space most? 
2. What key furniture does this space need?
3. What colors create the mood you want to inspire?
4. What textures deliver comfort, function and coziness? 
5. How can you create natural/warm light in this space? 
6. What memories do you want to make in this space?
7. How do you hope your guests feel in this space?
8. What current items in this space are you ready to purge/donate?
9. Do you prefer exposed or hidden organization of the stuff essential to this space?

Each space and home and it's people are unique. Don't limit your space by the images you see online, dream up your ideal space and incorporate the specific items you already love and possess. 

Happy envisioning friends! If you'd like some help and direction in your space, we'd love to work with you. 

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*bonus- we stumbled upon this beautiful blog this week and had to share... Simple as That. Here's a link to a post with a free printable calendar "Collect Moments-Not Things"! 

home resolutions for 2017

The dawn of a new year is a great time to reflect and dream about the days ahead. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the lists of "shoulds", let's be practical as we think about how to be better stewards of our homes this year. 

There are ways to maintain order and organization on a daily and weekly basis but the beginning of a new calendar year is a great time to plan for the next four seasons. We're suggesting tasks, projects and specific areas of focus for each season. Show your home some love throughout the course of an entire year, one season at a time. 

So, we did some research and added our own touch to create a free printable for you. We've taken into consideration the weather and other factors that effect the ease and importance of certain tasks. Download, print, and share the Home Resolutions for 2017 right here on our blog! 

Our team is ready to help you with those areas that need organization, every season of the year. Give us a call to schedule your free consultation today 865.345.9080. 

color coordinated

Before we begin, if you are color blind- our sincerest apologies. However, we're confident that in some way, you will benefit from these colorful ideas regarding coordination, categorization & organization. 

What colors do you find beautiful? What colors represent kid friendly things? What colors say "dangerous" or toxic? What colors signify the holidays? 

There are so many areas of your home where a little color coordination might bring simplicity and order. 

Image from Amanda Griffin-Jacobs blog. 

TOYS. Assess the toys in your home, and decide whether it will be more effective to separate toys by type or by the child that will play with them. Separating by type is conducive to families with children near the same age. Separating by which child plays with specific toys might be better for a family with a larger gap in age and interest, such as a young boy with an older sister. Pick a color and designate a bin/basket or tub for each category of toy.
 

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Image from Simply Spaced blog. 

CLOTHES. A closet organized by color is aesthetically satisfying and incredibly practical as you sleepily sift through your clothes to find the perfect (orange, yellow, pink or white) shirt for today. It takes the search and rescue effort out of getting dressed every day. Follow the gradient of colors as you look for your specific blouse or pair of pants. 

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Image from A Bowl Full of Lemons blog. 

DOCUMENTS. While manila file folders are still classic, there are so many colorful options to choose from. If you are single, married or a mother to 12 children- you have important documents. Pick a color for each category, such as: Medical files, Home Warranties, School Papers, Bank Statements, etc. 

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Happy color coordinating! Some other places to implement color organization include: book shelves, craft areas, and your dishes! What are other areas you use color to bring order and simplicity?

We'd love to help you think outside the box in the areas of your home that stump you. Give us a call to schedule your free 30 minute consultation today- 865.245.9080

[ Blog post image source: Apartment Therapy ]

hosting for the holidays

Image from Remain Simple blog.

21 days til Thanksgiving! That reality might cause you excitement, panic or any feeling in between. We want to encourage a spirit of "intentionality" instead of "perfection" this holiday season. Think about being a guest in your own home this year: what do you notice, how did you feel, what was the focus? We're sharing a few practical and thoughtful ideas to create an intentional holiday gathering this week. 

Intention: your guests will see it, taste it, feel it and enjoy it. 

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While there are so many moving pieces to coordinate for the Thanksgiving meal to be ready, one thing you can have prepared ahead of time for guests to enjoy upon arrival is a festive cocktail. Make it in a large batch so you aren't spending time making individual mixed drinks. Don't forget to mix up a batch without alcohol. Take a look at this recipe. 

Image from The Kitchn blog.

In order to plan well, the host needs to know the amount of people they'll be serving. Send a text or email out 2 weeks in advance to get an accurate number of guests. Take a look at this helpful chart about servings and quantities for the size of your group. 

Don't go crazy with seasonal decor. Less is more! Instead of shopping for hours for the "perfect" centerpiece or tablecloth, look outside. Bring some natural elements in to create a rustic and welcoming table. Include your kids as you gather leaves, branches, or greenery from your yard. Lighting and natural elements will create a warm and inviting ambiance for your table. 

If you prefer a later Thanksgiving meal, someone is sure to be hungry before meal time. Whether it be your children, new acquaintances or yourself- these cranberry brie mini tarts are a beautiful appetizer that won't require additional dishes or silverware to serve and enjoy. If cooking one more thing feels like an unbearable burden, grab some cheese & crackers and have these out to snack on. 

Image from Fox and Briar blog.

Shift the focus outward. Your Thanksgiving table can be the launching point for a group investment in a local cause. There are so many ways to give back in our community. Take a look at this list of specific avenues to give of yourself this holiday season in Knoxville.

With just a pencil and paper, your feast can get a lot richer. Challenge your family or friends to take a moment to write out the things you are thankful for. If you want to go a little deeper, try sharing one or two of your items on your list. Gratitude begets gratitude and the thoughts shared around the table will create memories and meaningful moments.

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Share your favorite Thanksgiving decor ideas, organizational tools, and traditions with us. How does your family or community celebrate?  

to do lists at your fingertips

Image from Christina Williams blog. 

Our daily tasks are just as important to order and simplify as the physical objects in our homes and workspaces. While we are still huge fans of printed calendars and lists, it seems that we are quicker to turn to our smartphones to make lists or calendar appointments as we go throughout the day. What does this mean? 

We are all busy people- whether you are juggling kids, freelance work, creative ideas, or diverse clients, we can sometimes get lost in our devices, calendars and apps that are supposed to help us live simply. 

I've tried a few different methods of list making and a few apps created specifically for task organization. By far, the one I would jump to recommend to my mom, my roommates and my coworkers is Todoist. 

Why it might be a good tool for you:

• It allows you to streamline all of your lists into one location. When you add an item on your phone, (as long as you have internet) it will sync to your computer or tablet. This eliminates redundant list making and saves you time from transferring things from one device to the other. 
• You can actually attach a "priority" to the item you are adding to your to do list. This creates an order of importance among your list, helping you remember what the most important and potentially urgent items are. 
• The feature of "assigning a task to someone" is extremely helpful for a team working towards a common goal. It streamlines the communication process, allowing the app to serve as the mouthpiece and explanation of a task as well as a calendar with a due date. It could increase your productivity as a group or team as it cuts out the email or phone call in between. 
• Using the Todoist list for your tasks and daily duties, will create simplicity and space in your calendar. Instead of plugging everything you need to do in a day, into your phone calendar, causing it to look overwhelming and full to the brim- put your tasks in the Todoist list and enjoy the satisfaction of checking tasks off one by one. 
• The list stays up to date. It will show you the current day, or the upcoming 7 days. This serves as a form of auto clean up and fresh start for each day. If items don't get completed "today", you can simply click and add it to tomorrows list. 
• Todoist offers integration with over 50 other softwares and programs that will increase your ability to share and upload images or documents from other locations on your phone or computer. 

Image from Todoist Official Instagram. 

Follow @todoistofficial on Instagram. 

Follow @todoistofficial on Instagram. 

Check out why Hannah loves Todoist on a professional and personal level. 

Recently, I've been using my Todoist app like crazy in order to stay organized and up to date on tasks leading up to our Fall Flea @ The Hive. Is this event on your calendar? We'd love to see you there! Add it to your calendar today- Friday, November 4 from 8 am to 2 pm and Saturday, November 5 from 8 am to 2 pm. #HYDFallFlea 

the all purpose closet.

As much as it would fulfill our perfectly designed and organized dreams of each closet having it's own category of contents, sometimes we are presented just one closet for multiple purposes. Imagine one closet that needs to contain all of your seasonal decor, gift wrapping supplies, crafting tools, and cleaning supplies. We've come up with a few tips regarding each category, to help this closet function as functionally and organized as it can. These ideas can be applied regardless of the size or shape of the closet. Let's work with what we've got & get creative... after all this is why we call it "the art of organizing". 

Seasonal Decor.

Image from Eleven Magnolia Lane.

• Snap and stack ornament storage. Or if you have your own boxes, use those! Also try- egg crates or apple cartons for round & fragile ornaments. 

• Hanging your wreaths vertically with a hanger... what?! Read more on how to.

• Use your storage tubs and bins more efficiently. Empty all of your current holiday storage to see it all at once. Let go of the things you no longer like or don't want to use this season. Reorganize the bins into: outdoor decor, christmas tree decorations & lights, serving ware & hosting dishes. 

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Gift Wrapping.

Image from I Heart Organizing. 

• Use the door for vertical storage. 

• Gift wrap station in a shower caddy. 

• Use a mail organizer for bags.

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Cleaning Stuff. 

Image from The 36th Avenue.

• Use a shoe organizer for cleaning spray bottles. 

• Choose pretty containers (clear glass or labeled clearly) to hold all of your cleaning supplies. Like this.

• Get rid of all expired or toxic cleaning chemicals. Show your kids the supplies you want them to have access to and where they are to be stored. 

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Crafting Supplies. 

Image from Mad in Crafts

• Separate and distinguish between adult and children's craft supplies. 
• Encourage the kids who will use this closet to help in deciding where things go and how they'd like to set their things up. 
• Make room by purging items that your kids may have grown out of and would like to donate to another family. 
• Use vertical storage (this is a common theme in this blog post!) like a hanging shoe container for yarn. 
• Hanging paint storage: try this DIY trick. 

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If you love the pretty door image we used for this blog post- google some creative ways to make a bland and boring closet door POP! 

Post a photo of the space, room, or nook that you love dwelling in & simply tag us (@helpyoudwell) and one lucky winner will receive a free HYD Canvas Tote! Last week to win. 

Also, we're so excited to announce the Fall Flea we're co-hosting with The Hive on November 4 & 5. Watch our Facebook & Instagram for sneak peeks of the collection we've curated coming soon! 

your favorite nook.

Last week, we launched the "HYD Fall Challenge" and our hope was to inspire you to conquer the closets in your home one at a time. However, we realize we may have been asking a lot of you to show us your perfected linen closet in just 3 short days!

So this week, we are going to keep it simple. 

We want you (our friends & followers) to post a photo of one of your favorite areas, corners, nooks or spaces in (or outside) your home that you enjoy "dwelling" in. It doesn't have to be fancy or perfect. Then tag us - @helpyoudwell ! 

One random person will be chosen to win a free HYD Canvas Tote. You've got nothing to lose & we'd love to see some of your favorite spaces. We'll still share some tips on organizing another closet, but as far as the "HYD Fall Challenge"... the pressure is off.

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Week 2: Coat Closet 

Where to start?

• Pull everything out. All the jackets, umbrellas, shoes, hats & scarves, and whatever else might have made a home here. 

• Sort into categories. Discard: don't be ashamed if you find a few things that should be thrown away. Donate: old jackets, hats and scarves that you won't wear this year. Relocate: the jackets that should go into individuals closets, items that belong in the garage, anything that might be more useful to have in the laundry room. Keep: the jackets, umbrellas, hats and boots that make the most sense in this closet for you and your family. 

• Before putting the keep items back in the coat closet, take time to imagine and visualize the coat closet of your dreams. These photos might inspire you. 

What you need? 

•  Hangers

• Bins or tubs (various sizes, whatever works for you and your items)

• Hooks for the back of the closet door (umbrellas, children's backpacks, hats) 

• Shoe organizer (rack, hanging shoe organizer, boxes on a shelf)

*Keep in mind, these are all optional. We just made a list to get you thinking of the possibilities. As always, we encourage using what you have instead of purchasing a bunch of new things.

How to maintain? 

• Let your people know. Show them the changes that have been made. Tell them what goes where and what does not go in this newly refreshed coat closet. 

• Re-visit monthly or seasonally. Put a calendar reminder on your phone to gently nudge you to spend a few minutes sprucing up the closet, or discarding unused items. This way, you are enjoying your organized coat closet all year around!

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If there are areas in your home, garage, or office that you just haven't gotten around to organizing... we'd be happy to help. Give us a call or shoot us an email to schedule your free consultation! 

join the challenge

Fall has finally arrived. Let's hope the weather follows soon! We are devoting the month of September to an often neglected and problem area of our homes. You guessed it... the closets. 

What better way to get motivated and organized than joining us in the:

#HYDFallChallenge

For 4 weeks (every Thursday in the month of September) we will pick a specific closet to focus on in your home. Our blog will feature inspiration and tips to help you conquer your closets one week at a time. We want to see your completed projects each week! Post a photo to Facebook or Instagram (by the Monday after the blog is posted) with the hashtag #HYDFallChallenge . We will pick one random winner each week to receive the prize of a lovely HYD Canvas Tote! 

Why participate?

• Because your closets need some love every now and then.

• Because you will create space in your closets for the things you need and love.

• Because you might win a beautiful HYD canvas tote. 

• Because purging and creating space in your closets will inspire you to declutter other areas.

• Because donating and giving back to your community is life giving. 

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Week 1: Linen Closet

Begin by taking everything out of the closet (or cabinets). 

Separate the contents in a way that makes sense to you.

• separate by room of use (master bedroom, children's bathroom, extra bedroom, etc.)
• separate by color (whites, colors, neutrals, etc.)
• separate by type (bedsheets, hand towels, bath towels, picnic blankets, etc.)

Sort into categories.

• Discard- the torn towels or worn out sheets that you'd rather use in the garage or to dry off the dog. These can be put in a new place- laundry room or garage.
• Occasional Use- the towels, sheets and blankets you only need when you have multiple house guests at one time or when the whole family goes on a trip. These could be better stored under a bed in a vacuum seal bag. Table cloths might fall into this category- try to find a place closer to the kitchen such as the top shelf of the pantry. 
• Necessity- the ones you use every day. These are the ones that deserve a prime spot on the shelf in your laundry room. The trick here is that you don't need excess. Only have on hand, what you need and use regularly. Let your kids pick their favorite towels and blankets and find a shelf they can easily access. 
• Donate- Challenge yourself to fill a few grocery bags or even a trash bag of linens that you can part with. Our local KARM stores would be a great place for these to end up. 

Put back the contents that are here to stay.

• Think about who is using the linens and if they can reach what they need
• Put them back in a way that is practical and aesthetically pleasing (each time you open this closet, you'll be glad you did!) 
• Show your family members or roommates the new linen closet system!
• Share your photo and hashtag #HYDFallChallenge 

Happy organizing!

#HYDFallChallenge 

home office must-haves

Whether you work from home full time or not- chances are you need a space to handle paperwork, pay bills and get personal tasks done. We have a few suggestions for your home office space, even if you don't have a separate "office" room in your home. We know that space, furniture and budgets are all constraints here but we hope these ideas help you create a space that is productive and also a space that you love. Here are some must-haves for your office space.

SUPPLIES

• Notepad- If you are on a call or making plans, you need a place for those thoughts and numbers to land. Maybe a legal pad or clipboard would work for you, or maybe you are a sticky note lover. 

• Stationary and mail- Having the essentials on hand will set you up for success. Stamps, note cards, return address labels, and envelopes are the keys. 

• Pens- It's always helpful to have at least one highlighter and Sharpie available. Find your favorite writing tools and stock up so you don't spend time searching for them. 

• all the littles- We're talking paperclips, staples, rubber bands, tab dividers, etc. A drawer with dividers and different size containers is the perfect home for these supplies. Or if you'd prefer them to be visible, pick up a stylish tray to place on top of your desk as your "control center". 

SYSTEMS

• Contact Information- When you meet a new friend or get a business card, what do you do with that information? Create a system that works for you, maybe you have an album on your smart phone where you take pictures of the business cards you collect. Or maybe you have a box that functions as a  small filing system (alphabetically by name or type of service they offer) for contact info. 

• Calendar- Similar to contacts, you have the choice of paper or electronic. Some people like to use both. The great thing about using your phone calendar is the reminders and alerts that keep you on track. Planners and agendas are great for seeing your week at a glance and scheduling your days. Here's a link to some fun printable calendars. 

• Files- Again the question of paper vs. electronic is up to you. If you purchase an inexpensive scanner, you can digitally upload all of the papers that you need, in folders on your computer. If the traditional paper filing system works for you, go for it. Make sure to get folders that will allow you to separate and categorize the items you need to organize. Think colors, labels and dividers here. We love working with clients to come up with a personalized system that works best for you. 

COMFORT & INSPIRATION 

• Seating- Never underestimate the power of a comfortable chair. What you can do in a nice padded seat compared to a hard and rigid chair will surprise you. It's worth looking for just the right chair and spending a little money on. If you enjoy standing while you work, look into standing desk options. 

• Natural Light- Windows are ideal in any space that you will be spending time as they allow the sunlight to warm the room, energize your mind and get you going! If windows aren't present in your space, find a few lamps that will create warm and inviting light. 

• Plant(s)- It's life-giving to have a real life plant in your workspace. It's something to tend to, but it also reminds you of growth, our need for nourishment and the fragility of life. Find a little low maintenance succulent to start with. 

• Inspiration- We feel strongly about creating a space you enjoy. As you dream up this home office, what are the colors you love? Decorate with a few of your favorite prints or art pieces.

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If a home office seems unattainable or like a far fetched dream, let us come help create an office space in your home with you. We love empowering our clients through a personal and orderly work space. 

Before

After

Also, don't miss our Labor Day Special - One FREE Month of Organizing when you sign up for monthly organizing this weekend! 

consignment opportunity.

Fall is approaching; this means brisk mornings, pumpkin flavored everything, UT football games, and the holiday seasons approaching faster than we realize. As the weather transitions seasonally, so does our wardrobe. 

Is your closet full to the brim? Do you have clothes you rarely wear that are in mint condition? Would you love to make room for some new pieces? Want to make a little money on the clothes you can part with? What if we told you this was possible while also partnering to make a meaningful impact in 125 lives in our community? 

We are so excited to invite you to StateMint | An Upscale Consignment Event. This event was founded by Sarah McAffry, a Knoxville native who realized that Knoxville is full of fashion conscious women and men who need an event like this to buy and sell current fashions.  

Mark your calendars...

• Thursday, September 29 | 10 am - 8 pm 

• Friday, September 30 | 10 am - 8 pm

• Saturday, October 1 | 9 am - 3 pm

Ready to get started...

REGISTER - TAG - SHOP

 

See you there...

6700 Jubilee Center Way
Knoxville, TN,
37912 United States

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Have more questions? Ask away! 
Share the event with your friends and follow StateMintStyle on Instagram. 

tools and tips.

Do you have ideas and big ambitions about how to stay on top of your to-do list, calendar and schedule? If you're like us, we find our brain space full of swirling tasks and goals. We wanted to share some helpful downloads, printables, tips and tools we're loving recently. 

Get those things out of your mind... onto paper... into action! 

1. The Inspired Room - Resources

We love these sheets for so many reasons. You can use them as you're thinking through your design taste, creating new habits and writing out goals. And the font and colors are pretty too! 

     
2. My Love for Words - Printable Labels

Looking for a set of labels that are ready to print today? These are perfect for a pantry, closet, garage or shelves. Tape them on today & feel accomplished. 

     

3. House Full of Sunshine - Vision Board Printables

Does your office, home office or kitchen calendar need some inspiration? These are beautiful, encouraging and inspiring. Print them today and your workspace will be instantly brighter. 

4. Kennary - Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

We are quickly approaching Fall... How functional is this pre-made maintenance list for the coming season?! Print it off and make a plan with your roommates or family before summer slips away. 

We hope these tools and tips are fun for you to look into today. Feel free to share with a friend who might love these resources! 

Yes you can.

 

Four ways to find success this weekend.

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1. The paper pile on your kitchen counter? 

You can sit down this Saturday morning and go through it. Trash, File/Put away, To do. Those are you three categories. Then:

• Toss the trash

• File the keepers

• Put the hammer where it belongs

• Pay the bills or fill out the forms

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2. The bags or boxes of items to be donated? 

You can make one more 15 minute round through the house, add a few more items to the bag, load them in your car Friday morning and drop them off on your way to the grocery store or on your lunch break.

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3. The toy room overflowing with unneeded toys that other kids would love? 

You can grab your kiddos on Saturday afternoon, tell them they have a special opportunity to let go of their toys for other kids less fortunate by picking out 5-10 toys, place them in a box, and the nice men & women at the closest donation site of your choice will take care of the rest.

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4. The bathroom closet/medicine cabinet with expired meds, unused beauty products, and scattered items?

You can get a trash bag to fill with the unusable items, purge any products that friends or family might like, and see what’s left. Once you know what you have, it’s easy to pick up containers like these from Target to contain items just the way you need and add a label to the front to make things easy to find!

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Here are four little ways to make a big difference in your living space. They may not seem like much reading them on this blog, but trust us, we have experienced it personally and with clients time and time again.

Remember it only takes one little rock to start an avalanche. Who knows what organizing one small space in your home or workspace could lead to?

As always, if these tasks sound just like what you need but time is limited, HYD would be honored to help you along your journey to order in your space. 

Call us at 865.245.9080 for a free consult today.

living well in shared spaces

While many of us have Pinterest boards full of our "dream homes" that we will one day decorate with all the beautiful things and zero clutter... your living situation today may be a rental home or apartment with roommates. Whether you live with family, friends or roommates - there is an art to living well in a shared space. 

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In your own space. 

TIDY AND TASTEFUL.

Your bedroom may be the only space you can call your very own. That's why it should be your haven and retreat. This is the place you wake up and begin each day, the place you go for rest and sleep. While having systems of order are important, your personal design taste is equally as important. Displaying things that inspire joy (from art to family pieces to colors and textures) in your bedroom, is just as important as the particular way you store your clothes and accessories. If coziness is important to you, pick pillows and sheets and blankets that create the bed of your dreams. If art is important to you, create a gallery wall today. If your book collection is special, refresh the way they are displayed by color or subject. Images below from Apartment Therapy.

SUBTLE STORAGE.

Are there storage containers and bins in your room that are taking up prime space, without adding a lot of functionality or visual appeal. There could be better ways to "store" your stuff, that adds personality and your taste to your room. Instead of cramming blankets into a bin or drawer of your dresser, find a wooden ladder and repurpose it to vertically display your favorite throw blankets and purge the extra ones.  For the keepsakes that pile up, check out local yard sales or antique stores for a vintage trunk that would hold them while also offering a little seating or surface for your favorite lamp. We believe that storage pieces should be working double time - offering storage and additional functionality in your space.

CLOSET CONFIGURATION.

Before jumping in, or giving up altogether it is important to think about creating a system that works for you instead of against you. What are the things you wear daily or even weekly, those should be given the prime location in your closet or dresser. How do you decide what to wear each day? Do you think in terms of color - organize by colors. Do you think in terms of style/type - organize by category (professional, casual, dressy, activewear, etc). Let your closet work for you, not against you! 

Closet by HGTV.

MEMORIES.

Choosing which photos and memories to display might not be easy for you. Instead of a wall full of concert posters, pick your favorite one or two and consider switching them out seasonally for a refreshed look. A gallery wall is a great place to hold your family photos, postcards, historic maps and more. Find frames you love, to create an orderly and contained display of these special pieces. It's tempting to want every memory to have a place on your wall or bookshelf, but if you completely fill your space with things from the past there won't be room for the new adventures to be displayed. Pick your favorites and remember switching a photo from a frame is very doable. 

SOMETHING GREEN.

Image from Bellamumma. 

There is something life-giving about a little live (or artificial) green in your living space. It reminds us that we need nourishment and we're growing daily. The Farmer's Market is a great place to grab some beautiful fresh blooms or succulents. If you aren't sure a little plant would survive, there are faux flowers and plants that add the same feeling in your room. Look at Target or Home Goods for one or two that you love! 

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In the shared spaces. 

DECOR DO'S & DON'TS.

Image from Everygirl. 

It's important to remember to consider the people you're living with before going decor crazy in places like the living room or kitchen. It might take some communication on the front end, but talking through how each person plans to use and enjoy the room will help everyone feel at home in the shared spaces. Try a few furniture arrangements and see what works best for your group of roommates or family. Challenge yourself to see a room through someone else's perspective, you may end up loving it! Remember a blended space is just that, a blend of different needs and personalities - it can be eclectic and beautiful at the same time. 

TEAMWORK. 

It's all about communication. We live full and sometimes chaotic lives. If you and the ones you share a home, apartment, condo or RV with can create systems up front that reduce extra stress, your home will be a place you can relax and be refreshed. Maybe even seasonally, you each commit to purge the excess in your closets as well as the shared household things you don't need anymore. Individually and collectively you have the ability to create and maintain a home that works well for you instead of against you. 

PANTRY PUZZLE.

Image from Indulgy.

No one wants to search through a full pantry on their way out the door for the day. Baskets, bins, containers, trays... containing items that are similar is key. If there are shelves, grab some colorful tape and outline specific areas that are for each person. In order to do this fairly among different shelf sizes and heights, draw the dividing lines vertically. This is another place that labels will serve a great purpose, because you are more likely to maintain order while unloading from the grocery store if there are labels telling you what goes where. Same thought goes for the refrigerator. If pantry space is limited, pick a kitchen cabinet that could serve as extra storage. 

MAIL MANAGEMENT. 

Image from Everygirl. 

Whether it's a basket, a shelf or a side table there needs to be a designated place for daily mail to land. If it begins to pile up, it might be helpful to sort through and discard ads and junk mail. This is a great place for labels in order to cut down on confusion and missing mail. 

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One last thought that will go along way in shared spaces: be quick to extend grace. We're talking about grace for your (sometimes messy) roommates and for your (sometimes messy) self too. As much as we wish we were tidy super organized individuals all the time, we just aren't. Stuff piles up, so when it happens remember: you got this! 

Is your storage unit the best investment?

We get it. Sometimes life comes at you in ways you never imagined and you find yourself needing to make a quick move either to a smaller place or for a short period of time. Storage units can be the best route if you don't have a family member or friend to let you store your extra stuff while your in transition. BUT......

this blog is for all of you that don't fit into that category. : )

Today, storage units can range anywhere from $40/mo up to $400/mo depending on how big and how nice a unit is. At first, this can be easily added into the budget for some folks. Others, it's a bit of a stretch. Oftentimes, it all makes sense to store that piece (you really don't like) from your grandma or the dining room table and 6 chairs that you used at your first house but don't need now or the really nice bed frame you hope to use someday but haven't yet because it never seems to match the style of your current home. But then you do the math. Say you've had the unit 4 years now. And say you're just paying the average price of a unit in Knoxville, TN which is about $90/mo. That is $4320. Yes, Four-Thousand Three-Hundred and Twenty dollars.  Woah.

Like we said earlier, you may have very good reason to need that extra space for a transition period. We get it. But, if the "transition period" has lasted so long that you don't really remember what's in the unit, it might be time to reconsider that extra monthly expense. 

HYD would love to help. As you've heard us say before, taking someone along when you're ready to find new homes for items you no longer need is definitely the way to go. If you've got a friend ready and willing, grab 'em and go for it! If not, HYD would be honored to be that helping hand as you decide the best way to find the right spot for all those items in your storage unit. Who knows? Some of it might be just what you need in your current space but you'd just forgotten you had it! We can help with that too!

Don't let another month go by spending money that could be much better spent on family, friends, travel, and life that you can enjoy! Make a valuable investment of a bit of your time and a small investment in HYD services and enjoy the freedom from the monthly storage expense as well as the peace of mind that comes with letting go of items you don't need and others do.

Helpful Resources

This week we wanted to give you a closer look at some of the most helpful local resources for all of your purging, organizing and styling needs. We have amped up our "Resources" portion of the website and wanted to share with you. Consider the links below as "tools" in your tool belt of organization. This page is actively updated as we learn about new services available in our area...so stay tuned! These are just a few highlights from our full resources page.

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DONATION SPOTS

• Goodwill : There are plenty of locations all around Knoxville. An organization that helps fund job training programs for East TN is something we can gladly get behind.

• YWCA : They serve a wide variety of individuals from middle school girls and boys to women of all ages. A current "wish list" can be found on their website.

• Angelic Ministries : Located in north Knoxville, they accept any furniture, clothing, or household items in good condition. Ongoing needs include twin mattresses, box springs and bed linens.

• Ladies of Charity : This is another north Knox donation spot that accepts items ranging from clothing to household items to furniture. If you're unable to physically move your furniture, they'll arrange to come and get it from your home.

STORAGE & MOVING

• Knoxville Box and Container, Inc : We can't speak highly enough of this local company that is committed to delivering quality products with unmatched customer service. Give them a call with your box and container needs.

• Moretz Moving : Are you or someone you love moving soon? These are the folks to call; trusted and dependable. They also offer a free estimate!

TECHNOLOGY LIFE-SAVERS

• Neighborhood Nerds : General computer help for your families technology issues. They help with phones, desktops and laptops. Their team is passionate about teaching you to use your technology well.

• HappyMac : Local company you can count on with all of your Apple products. HappyMac team members really know the ins and outs of your favorite and most used products- after all they have been servicing Knoxville since 1994.

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

• Fleetwood Photo & Digital : Need your old family photos or home videos archived? They can do it. They turned old forgotten pages of recipes into a beautifully bound cookbook for one of our clients. 

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Knoxville is fortunate to have local organizations that make great use of our outdated or excess treasures. And we are huge fans of the local companies that provide the service and supplies we need to carry out our organizing jobs for our clients. 

We hope that some of these resources will give you the direction you need to get going on your next project! 

Keys to a Peaceful Summer

A big hooray for students, teachers, volunteers and parents who worked hard this school year!

Kids have been counting down the days; eagerly awaiting pool play time, road trips, and freedom to roam the neighborhood day & night. While summertime is sweet it can also add some chaos to our homes and cars. Here are a few tips to keep peace in your home & car this summer while the fun summer activities ensue!

1. Fill a small tote with the summer outdoor essentials and keep it in your garage or laundry room (easy access to grab and go). Fill it with these items: outdoor/picnic blanket, sunscreen, bug spray, band aids, frisbee, and the ever useful Eno hammock.

2. Designate a section of the pantry and refrigerator for kids snacks and drinks. Make sure to pick an easily accessible shelf for your kiddos. These snacks and drinks will take up more room in the summer than they do during the school year, so it saves everyone from clutter and hunting for the right snack to designate a specific shelf.

3. Plan some free family fun - check out these local hikes from Outdoor Knoxville. Be sure to check the weather forecast, grab some snacks & hit the trail together. This is a great alternative to more expensive indoor activities. You could even incentivize the hike by allowing your kids to invite a friend if they consistently keep up with their chores around the house for a week straight!

4. Check out the Children's Festival of Reading hosted by the Knox County Public Library. This Saturday, May 21 is the free kick off event at 10:00 AM! The library is a great resource to continue education and reading throughout the summer, especially on those rainy days.

Happy summer to you! 

Organizing Kids Rooms

Playrooms and kids' rooms are often some of the hardest spaces to organize. Finding a good balance of knowing when the toys are taking over but also keeping a wide range of options to foster creativity and fun is a challenge. Organizing for kids is a hard task. While respecting what an individual child enjoys playing with, there are ways to purge without ending up with lots of tears over toys that are missed.

Image from Houzz.com

1. Talk with your kids about what happens to toys that they let go of. Help them see the story that they play a part in when they donate toys to children that may not have toys to play with like they do. If you have a child that gets excited to participate in the process of purging, let them be a part of the process. Ask them which toys they would like to share with a less fortunate child.

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2. If your child isn't as willing to let go of things, take a few weeks to intentionally notice what toys they spend the most time playing with and which toys are neglected, or maybe they have grown out of. For children less willing to purge when the toys are taking over, try boxing up all of the toys that you believe they are done with. Keep the box in a hidden location for two weeks and if they haven't noticed or don't seem to mind that the toy is gone, give it away. Concentrate on helping your children value relationships more than things.

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Koloro Magnet Set

3. Specific toys to keep: Try to keep toys that help foster creativity, furthering education, and thinking skills. Art and Craft supplies, dress up clothes, building blocks, games, etc.

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4. If your kids share a room, help them make their own space feel special. Sometimes kids need their own space and sometimes they need to learn how to share space well. Whether your kids share a room or have their own, making an effort to hang their favorite poster, frame their best art creation(s), create a reading nook, or frame a photo of your child with their best friend can make them feel proud of their own space and, hopefully, lead to taking more responsibility of keeping it in order.

Photo: James Henry / bauersyndication.com.au

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5. Kids clothes.
It's amazing how quickly kids grow out of their clothing. This is an ongoing process. Each season, go through each closet and toss or donate items that are worn out or no longer fit. If you have younger kids that will grow into things in the future, just keep the well maintained items & box up clothing by size and sex and store somewhere other than their closet if you have the storage space available. When it comes to kids closets, make sure items are stored in a way that makes it easy for them to become more independent. Can they reach the things they need to? Is it obvious where things go?

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6. Kid storage.
Coming up with a way to organize toys and games that is conducive to kids can be complicated. Bins can be a great help as a solution. This unit has the ability to do both store in bins and on shelves which can be helpful with multiple shapes of toys. Getting items off the floor and onto shelves or in bins is a must.

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7. Kids books. The best advice here is have lots to choose from on shelves that your kids can easily reach. Color coordinating can be a fun project for kids and is much more practical in re-shelving than alphabetically.

Mini-Library by Oeuf

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8. Art supplies. Which supplies do you want them to be able to access without you present? Which supplies do you only want used with adult supervision? This changes with age so reorganizing is necessary over time. Going through and tossing broken, dried up etc. Storing in a way that allows kids to participate in clean up process. I've had great success over the years with a small chest of 4 drawers. It has grown with the kids starting with a drawer for play-doh, one for wooden puzzles, one with all kinds of paper to now holding all sorts of markers, paints, clay & older kids art items. 

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As always, HYD is here to help if you're needing a little boost to get these projects started. Just drop us a line at info@helpyoudwell.com or call us at 865.245.9080.